Open Source-Revolutionising Traditional Business Models: Why Open Source is Best for SMMEs Community?
In a nutshell, the key benefits of open source software/applications are best described by the opensource.com arising from the “principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.” Open source provides great opportunities for SMMEs to escape or avoid traditional business models, which are outdated and also driven by large corporations aiming to further disadvantage startups or new entrants to the market.
The internet itself was built using open source technologies and anyone using the Internet today benefits from open source initiative. Open Source was never taken seriously by large corporations but today most internet players are the world’s greatest innovators within the enterprise. The internet today has proven itself to be the most reliable and cost effective platform to create sustainable business models for the startups – and slowly moving to the mainstream whilst taking the centre stage through disruptive innovation.
As already communicated previously, I will be running a pilot project based on “Nurturing and Growing a Digital Product Idea looking from SMMEs perspective for the Developing Nations”. This pilot project will be based on the adoption of open source ecosystem. Some of the systems to be considered during the development and building stages include content management systems, modern web servers, database and operating systems. I have conducted research and identified great players in the field with proper technologies most suitable for the Interactive Mobile Web platform. If you are reading this article and you know anyone with an ambition of starting up a business or already launched a small business, please share the news. The whole concept will be based on building an “Interactive Mobile Web Platform” for the emerging entrepreneurs or new entrants to the SMMMEs marketplace within the developing economies.
Technology is an enabler of every business and its applications on SMMEs differs enormously compared to the applications being used and adopted by large corporations. Therefore, the use of open source will benefit SMMEs more in need of simple and innovative applications to help their companies develop and build sustainable business models aligned with the jobs of the future. With open source, SMMEs don’t need to own licences over a long term contract whilst trying to address market dynamics through ever changing economic environments. Successful high-tech Startups and small businesses across the globe are now using Interactive Mobile Web Platforms to develop and build sustainable and profitable business models for their companies. Therefore, it is important that the SMMEs within the developing economies also learn to embrace open source whilst creating new business models that will enable them to compete effectively with other counterparts including well-established industry sectors.
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